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Gas Sensors and Their Selection: F.Hruska, S.Plsek

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ronnnnnmichael
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING

Gas sensors and their selection


F.Hruska, S.Plsek

• solid - state principles.


Abstract—Measurement of constitution and feature of gas gives There are methods and principles of chemical or physical
information in content of gas components in mix or in their physical chemical processes. At chemical principles there are proceed
parameters. This measurement is used for environment protection, in interference of elements measured matters and sensor with
control of qualities of air in interior, control of quality of combustion their chemical conversion (reaction), happens to changes of
at combustion motors and kettles, control and monitoring of chemical
matters and traces significant change some physical quantity.
processes etc . Measurement has to do with emissions of components
of gases at processes and emission, i. e. content of components of Chemical changes of kind of matters are not at physical
mixture of gases. Research results play signification role and principles and make use of only chase some physical quantity
development of electrochemical sensors. These elements are realized measured matters. Interaction of matters of sensor and
next to laboratory and industry technical means of measurement and molecules of gas rise by kind of principle at particular sensors
portable equipment of personal protection. There is necessary changes of physical parameters of material or changes of
recognize to study of electrochemical sensors and their application
energy acted to sensor.
research in detail their principles, positives and negatives of
particular methods for determination of concentration of particular Aspects of function of electrochemical sensors, their
gases and is necessary have knowledge in fabrication technique of specialties and principles of conditions of electric signals are
signals from these sensors. in the following parts introduced for chosen sensors.

Keywords—gas mix, measurement of gas concentration, sensor, II. ASPECTS OF SELECTION


signal conditions.
The gas sensors use a lot of principles and specifying.
I. INTRODUCTION Accordingly there is it very important to know the aspects of
selection.
oday expansion of technology first of all semiconductor
T provides base for the development of electrochemical
sensors too (1, 2, 3, 4). Herewith there is made metering
There are a wide range of issues which must be considered
in order to ensure that a gas measurement system is suitable
for its intended application. There play many factors soma
of composition and feature of mixture of gases fully
special roles.
electronical way. Equipment using these sensors have
smallness, are cheap, support reliable fiction and dispense
processing of metering in laboratories. They use is in everyday III. PROBLEMS OF GAS HAZARDS
practice. E.g. every modern car goes with minimum unhealthy In the praxis there are the range of flammable, toxic, and
waste products thanks sensing element for metering of oxygen asphyxiated gases and vapors. They are presented as
content in exhaust gas. Boiler plant using rating gas natural potentially dangerous level in a environment.
gas works safely thanks indication escape of gas. Contents
CO2, CO, sulphur oxide, nitrogen etc. in air, which we have Technology Flammable Toxic Asphyxiant
breathe, are measured by the help of sensors very easily. Electrochemical no yes yes
Modern air - conditioning systems and air changing systems of IR photometry yes yes no
buildings work more effective thanks sensors of VOC (volatile
Pellistor yes no no
organic compound).
Chemiluminiscence no yes no
In technical practice there are used for metering of
compound and of feature of gas equipment making use Colourimetry yes yes no
method: Electrical no yes no
• heat conductivity conductivity
• paramagnetic feature FID sensor yes no no
• spectral analysis Photo-ionisation yes yes no
• catalytical combustion Paramagnetic no no yes
• industrial gas chromatography Semiconductors yes yes no
• humidity measurement of air Thermal yes yes no
• changes of electrical charges, conductivity
UV photometry yes yes no
F. Hruska has been with the Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Zlin, CZ 760
05 Czech Republic, (author to provide e-mail: hruska@fai.utb.cz).
Table I Suitable sensor technologies for gas hazards
S,Plsek has been with the Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Zlin, CZ 760 05
Czech Republic, (co author to provide e-mail: plsek@fai.utb.cz).

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While many of the available technologies are able to any sensors and measuring devices are able to perform
measure the gasses, there are used only specific sensors. In the satisfactorily. These conditions are: temperature, pressure,
table I there is presented the suitable technologies of sensors humidity of measured gas and air speed and a number of other
for different gas hazards. parameters.
For example by carbon monoxide there is a mixture of The table III has included typical parameters to right
0,03% in air is toxic, a mixture of 11% in air is flammable and measurement of gas concentration.
toxic, a mixture of 20% in air is asphyxiant and is also
flammable and toxic. Condition Flammable gas Toxic gas
Temperature -25 to +55°C -10 to +40°C
A. Problems of concentration range
Pressure 80 to 110 kPa 90 to 110 kPa
Other problem can depend on the likely concentration of the
Humidity 20 to 90% RH at 20 to 90% RH at
gas in many cases the choice of sensor. Although some
40°C 20°C
technologies are over a very wide range in theory capable of
Air speed Up to 6m/s Up to 4 m/s
measuring. In most safety applications only a relatively small
Table III Mean parameters of environmental conditions
dynamic range is required. If it is necessary to monitor of
concentrations over a wide dynamic range then it may be
The table IV demonstrates the sensitivity of sensor
necessary to use two or more different types of sensors
according to used technologies of sensors. There is showed,
together.
that environmental parameters can influence the result of
sensor. A electronically circuits can compensate the
Technology ppm % LEL % vol influences.
Electrochemical yes n/a yes
IR photometry yes yes yes
Technology T H P S D O2
Pellistor yes yes no Electrochemical yes no yes no no yes
Chemiluminiscence yes n/a no IR photometry no no yes no yes no
Colourimetry yes no no Pellistor no no no no no yes
Electrical yes n/a no Chemiluminiscence no no no no no no
conductivity Colourimetry yes yes no
FID sensor no no no Electrical yes no no no no no
Photo-ionisation yes no no conductivity
Paramagnetic yes n/a yes FID sensor no no no no no no
Semiconductors yes no no Photo-ionisation no no no no no no
Thermal no no yes Paramagnetic no no yes no no n/a
conductivity
Semiconductors yes yes no yes no yes
UV photometry yes no no
Thermal no yes no yes no no
Table II Suitable sensor technologies for measuring ranges conductivity
UV photometry no yes yes no
The table II shows suitability of sensor technologies for
Table IV Sensitivity of sensor technologies to conditions
different concentration ranges be definitions of ppm (parts per
(T-temperature, H – humidity, P-pressure, S-air speed, D-dust,
million), % LEL (Lower Explosive Limit) a % volume.
O2 concentration).
For example a combination of a pellistor based principle
and either a thermal conductivity or IR absorption can be used
Many safety applications require the measurement of low
to measure flammable gas concentrations between around 1%
concentrations of hazardous gases. But there does problems
LEL up to 100% vol. But next the pellistor cannot measure
the atmospheric air with an oxygen level around 21% vol. A
concentrations abouve 100% LEL.
reduced oxygen level may affect sensor function, depending
B. Types of measuring devices on the type of principle. Some sensors require a minimum
The sensors could be applied for four type of devices: fixed concentration to correct operate. In the table IV it is seen the
installation, transportable, portable, or personal. Fixed and oxygen doesn´t give the problem only for electrochemical,
transportable implementation can be used for all technologies. pellistor and semiconductor technologies.
The portable implementation can´t be for portable unit for D. Other influences for measurement
chemiluminiscence principle. The personal devices don ´t use
The gases consist a mixture of not one gas but of two and
the chemiluminiscence, electrical conductivity, FID, photo-
more gases. The concentration is function of partial pressure,
ionization, paramagnetic, thermal conductivity, UV
e.g. for air in the atmosphere it is 210 mbar for oxygen, 780
photometry technologies.
mbar for nitrogen, 10 mbar for other gases for reference of
C. Environment condition of measurement 1000 mbar.
The environment condition is very important to ensure that The sensor in transmitter needs to have the measured gas

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moved as far as on sensitive area of sensor. Some hydrogen, nitrogen


measurement systems have pump for transport of the gas into monoxide and dioxide,
sensor. The flow must be constant and in given range. sulphur dioxide,
Gas concentrations are expressed in a variety of units. The chorine, hydrazine.
most used units are: volume fraction (v/v or vol), mass Chemicals and Toxic Chlorine, carbon
fraction as mass ratio or weight ratio (kg/kg), parts per million pharmaceuticals monoxide and dioxide,
(ppm), % LEL (for low concentrations), mole fraction. hydrogen chloride,
E. Encountered gases in the praxis environment oxygen, ozone,
ammonia.
The list of encountered gases in the praxis environment is in
Agriculture Flammable, Methane, carbon
the table V.
toxic dioxide, hydrogen
sulphide.
Name of gas Formula Type of hazard Semiconductors Flammable, Solvent vapour,
Hydrogen H2 Toxic toxic hydrogen chloride,
Ozone O3 Toxic hydrogen, chlorine,
Chlorine Cl2 Toxic dopants such as arsine,
Nitrogen N2 Asphyxiant stibine, germane.
Methane CH4 Flammable Paper Toxic Chlorine, hydrogen
Ethane C2H6 Flammable sulphide.
Propane C3H8 Flammable Health issues Flammable, Oxide, carbon
Pentane C5H12 Flammable toxic monoxide and dioxide,
Carbon monoxide CO Toxic ozone, ammonia,
Carbon dioxide CO2 Toxic chlorine, hydrogen
Ammonia NH3 Toxic chloride.
Hydrogen sulphide H2S Toxic Table V List of industries and associated gases
Hydrogen chloride HCl Toxic
Sulphur dioxide SO2 Toxic
Nitrogen monoxide NO Toxic IV. PRINCIPLE OF SPECTRAL ANALYSIS
Nitrogen dioxide NO2 Toxic Absorption of electromagnetic or ionisation radiation at
Table V List of encountered gases and the principal hazard transit throught of mix gases is function of mixture proportion,
its density and longitude of passing radiation (5). Dilution of
F. Selection of industries and associated gases intensity of radiation energy uses formula:
Gas sensors are used for different application in industries. E = E1.e − µρz (1)
It is a wide variety of sites, ranges from car parks to power where's E1 source intensity, µ mass coefficient of dilution
2
plants, from oil and gas platforms. The potentially dangerous (m /kg), ρ density, z distance of direction of radiation.
gases associated with a selection of industries are listed in Mass coefficient of dilution for UV radiation at λ=147 nm
4 2
table VI. is 1,7.10 m /kg. Two - molar gases indeed have absorbing
maximums for explicit wave longitude. E.g . CO2 has
Industry Hazards Names of gases absorbing maximum at wave longitude l=4,26 µm, H2 at
Water, wastewater Flammable, Methane, hydrogen e=2,59 µm.
treatment asphyxiant, sulphide, chlorine, Absorption of monochromatic radiation in gas volume is
toxic oxygen, ozone. controlled Lambert formula:
Steel Flammable, Carbon monoxide,
 I 
asphyxiant, oxygen. e k .l .c =   (2)
toxic  I out 
Petrochemicals Flammable, Methane and other where is k absorption coefficient depended upon wave
asphyxiant, hydrocarbons, longitude, kind of flow a gas concentration, l longitude track
toxic hydrogen sulphide, ray in flow, c gas concentration , I intensity ray on entrance
oxygen, carbon 2
(W/m ), Iout intensity of beam in output (W/m ).
2

monoxide, carbon
dioxide, nitrogen
dioxide, sulphur
dioxide, benzene.
Power plants Flammable, Carbon monoxide,
toxic carbon dioxide,

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A
of mixture of inflammable gas on hot-wire element (3,4,6, 8).
O2 Principle scheme displays fig.6. Technical solving of sensor is
dual type. Design a) in Figure 3 is implementation with
measuring chambers and evaluation electronics, design b) is
NO
compact sensor called pellistor (pelletised resistor).
1.1 1.2
SO2 1.3
NO2

N2 O

1 2
H2 O

nm
200 220 240 260 280 300 320

CO 2

CO CH
4

CH
a) b)
2 6 CH 2 6

CH 4
CH
2 6
Figure 3 Catalytic sensor (a-schemes, c-real sensor RAE
Systems)

Sensor accordance with design (b) in Figure 3 is compact


version of catalytical principle. In cell there is pearl (1) on
CO 2

which measured gas inputs across strainer (2). Pearl is from


mass of catalyzer (1.1, separation ceramics (1.2) and hot-wire
µm element 1.3). Measured gas is oxidized, rises warm, which
turns value of electrical resistance of hot-wire element. These
2 5 10 15
Fig. 1 Graphs of absorption dependencies of changes are rate of concentration combustible gas. Actual
electromagnetic radiation at range of UV and IR for some implementation of sensor is shown in c) part of figure.
gases. Output of limit sensor is described according to formule
Scheme of analyzer using principle of absorption of LEL (Lower Explosive limit ):
electromagnetic radiation is in Fig. 2. VLEL = K .D12 .∆H .( LEL) (3)
CO2 where K is constant of construction of pellistor and is
2 CO CH4 structured in relation m.cpp.tp of formula, D12 is diffusion
ref coefficient , ∆Η is thermal energy of oxidation, LEL is
6 indicated output in % .
1
Diffusion coefficient has formula:
3 D12 = b.T 1,5 /( µ 0,5δ 122 Ω(T *) (4)
4 A1 where is b constant, T absolute mixture temperature of gas,
5
µ is reduction of molecular mass of air and of gas, δ collision
output cross factor, Ω(T*) is collision integral.
Fig. 2 Graphs of absorption dependencies of Next formula is :
electromagnetic radiation at range of UV and IR for some µ = M a M g /( M a + M g ) (5)
gases
where Mand is molar weight of air, Mg gas,
Sources of radiation (2) are accordance with type of δ = 0,1866.V 1 / 3 Z c−1, 2 , Vc is critical volume and Zc is
12 c

radiation LED diode or special vacuum tube with short range compression of gas and for
of wave longitudes and accordant with input of intensity T * = kT / ε 12 (6)
radiation. Beams are guided into chambers (1) and generally
are multiple reflected on walls. Their intensity decreases and where k is Boltzmann constant, e12 is Lenard- Jones parameter
permeates across filter (5) into sensor (4). Signals from sensor of power interaction as function of critical temperature and
are modified in unit (A1). compression for air and gas.

VI. POTENTIOMETRY PRINCIPLE


V. PRINCIPLE OF CATALYSES
The principle makes use of gas detection , which are
Catalytical combustion is a simple method to measurement

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electrolytically convertible or oxidate on metal catalyzer, as content of oxygen in mixture of gases. Electrolyte is from
are platinum or gold. Principle is analogue to electrochemical substances of zircon, zirconium oxide- oxide zircon with
cells. Electric voltage between anode and cathode in ingredient yttrium oxide- oxide itria. Movement of ions is at
electrolyte is changed according to gas concentration. Output higher temperatures above 300°C. Construction is given
can be voltage change (potentiometry) or in circuit with load double - sided sheeting of cylinder material of electrolyte with
resistor change of current (amperometry) (4). porous metal (platinium, gold or silver). On one’s side there is
According to the number of electrodes have produced measured gas, on second is electrode to react with reference
sensors as two, tri and four - electrode. gas or atmosphere and air. According to differences of oxygen
concentration (or differences of their partial pressure) at
i measured and reference gas rises on electrodes potential
U 3
4 + - 4 according to differences of concentration of oxygen. It is
6
2 2 possible create also circuit with metering of current when in
5 use external power supply. Chart of sensor with solid
1 electrolyte is in Figure 6.
1
3
4 6 2 1 3 5
a) b)
Figure 4 Graphs of absorption dependencies of
electromagnetic radiation at range of UV and IR for some
gases

In Figure 4 is: 1-electrolyte, 2 - sensing electrode/anode, 3 –


cathode, 4 – measured gas, 5 – reference electrode, 6 – i
membrane.
Chemical formulas for reactionary action at metering of Figure 6 Scheme of solid electrolyte sensor
oxygen are:
O2+2H2O+4e- = 4OH- Solid electrolyte (1) is placed between two platinum
2Pb +4OH- = 2PbO+2H2O+4e- (7) electrodes (2, 3) between measuring chamber (4) and
Formulas for oxidation reaction for CO are : reference chamber (5). The sensor is heated of layer (6) on
CO+H2O= CO2+2H++2e- temperature several hundred degrees of Celsius. Measuring
½ O2 +2H++2e- = H2O (8) circle includes power supply and changes of flow are rate of
Potential rises or lead of electric potential generates at concentration of gas. Supply potential have to create limit
reduction process according to 4 electrons, at oxidation 2 current accordance with concentration of measured
electrons. components.
Signal condition circuit makes use the electronical
evaluation the output signal. A Example of that evaluation is VII. CHEMO-RESISTOR PRINCIPLE
in Figure 5. The sensor has three electrodes, the output from Chemo-resistor contains material, which changes valuables
the sensor is amplified, next two electrodes have auxiliary of electrical resistance accordance with concentration of
function. measured of gas in mixtures, which is with its in contact.
Sensitive material is generally built - up like thin layer on
0,1M carrying flat. According to kind of these materials is achieved
Reference 10k 10k for concrete gases concrete parameters of range of interaction,
Country
JFET 1M + IC1 i. e. measurement, accuracy, reproducibility, sensibility,
+
V+ response time etc .
Sensing 10k
10k At present world - wide manufacturers use by production of
sensors metal-oxide and solid-state materials or polymeric
1-100 materials.
IC2 Output Scheme of chemo-resistor with a thin layer of metal oxide is
+
in Figure 7.
10k
1
2
Figure 5 Scheme of circuit of signal evaluation of three-
electrode sensor 3 4
Figure 7 Structure scheme of chemo-resistor
Electrolyte is liquid, gel or solid substance. Sensors with
solid electrolyte are potentiometric sensors too (9). Sensors Resistive material (1) turns its conductivity accordance with
with solid substance are used first of all measurement of

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present of gas round. Sensitivity is established from heated I


filament (3). Measuring circuit is connected on electrodes
(2). Optimal processes of measurement are for combustible 6 1
and toxic gases, e.g . H2, CH4, C3H6, CO, NOx, H2S, AsH3, 2
SO2, NH3. 3
4

V N
V
N

1 5
3
2 Figure 9 Scheme of oxidation semiconductor gas sensor
V out
Scheme of solid - state sensor features Figure 9. Sensitive
layer (1) is out of SnO2 or ZnO with conductivity of N type
and is in contact with measured gas. Other layers are: layer
R p
(2) out of SiO2, layer (3) out of ferrite, layer (4) out of RuO2
R b
and layer (5) is substrate and isolation. Sensor is heated from
temperature 200 as far as 450 °C. Contact layer (6) is out of
Figure 8 Electrical scheme of chemo-resistor gold, as well as leads. If power supply of sensor is constant
DC voltage current I is turned accordance with adsorption of
Wiring of chemo-rezistor is in Figure 8, where VH is voltage measured gas.
of heating, Vn is voltage of power supply of active layer, Rb
loading resistance, Vout is output signal. IX. CHEMFET PRINCIPLE
Active layer of chemo-resistor created from conductive At semiconductors CHEMFET there is achived potential
polymeric materials works so, that the measured gas is between gate and substrate in consequence of adsorption of
absorbed into those layer then there are come up changes of some gases on controlling electrode (14).
electrical resistance of whole layer. Acceptable there are e.g .
thin layers from clean polymers as is polypyrrolene, 6
polyaniline (it measures of gases methanolate, tetrachloride, 5 2 3 4
ethanol, toluene, acetone, ammonia etc) or from composite
polymeric materials doped most with black. Good results are
achived also by polymers on base of polystyrene for humidity 1
measurement in air and polyalinile for measurement of
ammonia with range of change in resistance from 1Ω to the
1GΩ values. Figure 10 Scheme of CHEMFET sensor

VIII. SEMICONDUCTOR PRINCIPLE OF OXIDATION In Figure 10 is: Substrate (1) is base of sensor from Si
solid - state material with conductivity PP. Gate is metal
Solid - state oxidation sensors there're intended for
control electrode made from Pd. It is sensitive to hydrogen and
detection of oxidation or reduction gases. The sensors have
to gases, where is possible hydrogen split off, e.g . NH3, H2S.
sensitive area on surface or are active whole capacity (13).
Gate is from substrate and from collector and source electrode
More ordinary sensors with surface detection are typically
separated for layer (3) from SiO2 or TiO2 or ZnO. Collector
compound from area of oxide of metal (ZrO22, SnO22, TiO2
etc.) round fine heating meanders (platinum or various oxides (4) and source electrode (5) are formed of semiconductor with
of metals). Areas absorb molecules of oxygen and when is it conductivity of type N. Measured gas (6) has accessed to gate.
heated, happens to reaction activated oxygen with molecules Gas has molecule H2, it is dissociated on surface Pd and rising
of oxidation or reduction gases on surface area and is changed dissociable atoms are adsorbed and further diffused as far as
electrical conductivity of oxide area. So it is possible detect on interface gate - insulation material. There is created dipole-
almost any oxidation gas and sensitivity is in range 20- 100 layer, which changes original potential and conductivity FET
ppm. structures. Gate from metal Pd is able to function also like
If is reducing gas (H22, CH44, CO, H22S, alcohol, izobutane), catalyzer and therefore conductivity is influenced also
gas acts like donator of electrons into semiconductors and oxidation gases, like is O2, Cl2 or at higher temperature also
increases conductivity of surface of sensitive layer. reduction CO in mixtures H2.
Contrariwise, if is oxidizing gas (O22, Cl22, NO22), it is
acceptor of electrons and conductivity is decreased. X. UV-IONOSATION PRINCIPLE
Modern and newly evolved principle in the field of
electrochemical sensors is principle photo-ionization (PID) by

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the help of radiation in the UV radiation (2). Scheme of sensor


shows Fig. 11. λ (W/(m.K) Realation to air
4 5
A1 xenon 0,00519 0,215
2 crypton 0,00870 0,361
output
1 H2S 0,01292 0,536
A0
helium 0,01430 0,593
CO2 0,01430 0,593
argon 0,01634 0,678
hydrogen 0,01720 0,714
3 CO 0,02333 0,968
nitrogen 0,02400 0,996
Fig. 11 Scheme of UV photo-ionization sensor air 0,02410 1,000
oxygen 0,02450 1,017
Sensors PID are suitable for measurement of concentration acetylene 0,02991 1,241
of hydrocarbons from steps of carbon C6 as far as C9, for methane 0,03020 1,253
gases and exhalation from petrolic fluids, O22, VOC, H22, H22S neon 0,04583 1,902
and next toxic gases. SO2 0,08332 3,457
This method is very fit and highly sensitive for Table VI Thermal conductivity of choose gases
measurement of gas mix in interiors. There is used high
energy of UV radiation from the source (1) showed in fig.6 The thermal conductivity is dependent on temperature too.
regulated on grid (2). Electron is moved from neutrally The dependence can be a linear function (e.g. mathene) or a
charged gas molecule through elektro-luminiscence energy. nonlinear and decreasing function (e.g. acetylene).
Greater or more reactive molecules have lower ionizing The total thermal conductivity of gas mixture is function of
energy than smaller or little reactive molecules. Greater mol concentration of gases mi and its thermal conductivity.
molecules are more easily measurable. This principle has The function is equal:
opposite characteristics against catalytical method. Therefore
there're this methods complementary.
λ = ∑ λi .mi (10)
i
Intensity of UV radiation is measured sensor (4). Passing
Scheme of measuring equipment (“i.e.” according to
gas (3) trough chamber forms electro-luminescence, which is
English abbreviation “TCD” – thermal conductivity detector
scanned photomultiplier (5). Electronic unit evaluates
too) of gas mixture according to thermal conductivity
concentration of gases in mixtures and at the same time
principle is showed in fig. 12.
controls of processes of measurement.

XI. THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY PRINCIPLE 5


The thermal conductivity is defined generally as a formula:
Q.d 6
λ= , (9) 7
S .∆t 2
where is Q thermal flow, S penetration area, ∆t=t1-t2 3
difference of temperature, d thickness of layer. output
Scheme of thermal flow across wall is demonstrated in fig.
4
12. The thermal conductivity of gas is a function of absolute
1
temperature, molecular mass. It is independent on pressure up
to range of technical vacuum. The thermal conductivity of
choose gas is showed for 0°C in table VI. There is a relative
thermal conductivity of gas to air.

S,t1
t2 Q,λ Fig.12 Scheme of measurement of gas mixture according to
thermal conductivity

The measuring system contents for measured cuvettes, a


d source of heat and glow wires and electronic circuits with
Fig. 12 Scheme of thermal conductivity across a wall signal condition. There are two cuvettes with measured gas

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(2) and two reference cuvettes (4) with comparison gas. The principles. Main parameters of sensors, which are very
glow wires into the cuvettes are resistance sensors at once. important for its selection, are:
They are from platinum. The thermal conductivity of tested • Accuracy and repeatability
gas changes the thermal flow from glow wires, at the same • Operating range
time there is changes intern temperature and next resistance of • Interference
wires. The system is into specific thermal block (3). • Warm-up time
The glowing is for constant electric power Pq that has • Response time
according to proportions and parameters of chamber value: • Zero and span drift.
2πlλ (1 + βt p )(td − t p ) The accuracy of gas sensors is fundamental parameter that it
Pq = R0 (1 + αtd ) I 2 = (11) involves a comparison with a true or accepted value. At the
ln(rp rk )
moment, the gas sensors have the accuracy up about 2% and
where is α thermal coefficient of wire resistance, I supply more. Repeatability compares results of other measurements
current, td wir temperature (it is from 50 up to 200°C), R made in the same way.
electric resistance of wire, λ coefficient of thermal The operation range of gas sensor is depended on used
conductivity of chamber walls, β coefficient of thermal principle. It can be e.g. in ppm units, or % of LEL, or % of
conductivity of gas, tp gas temperature , rd diameter of wire, concentration.
rk diameter of cuvette. Big problems come during the measurement of gas
The measurement system is connected to electronic unit (5) concentration with interferences. Gas sensors are affected to
with supply (6) and amplifier (7). some extent by contaminations other gas than that is
Thermal conductivity sensors are produced in MEMS measured. In the real word there aren´t the concentrations with
technology too. They only have a one half bridge unit with Ni only the calibrated gas. The output can be changed up to high
temperature sensor and heat source. The power is about or low output signal. The ideal principle is which has
5mW, time constant up to 5ms, time delay of gas filling is sensitivity only for one gas.
about 100 ms. Warm-up time is defined as the time necessary to measure
The thermal conductivity sensors can measure in range with full performance, and the right accuracy after being
from 0 up to 100% vol. The one has combined with catalytic turned on. The real value is from some seconds up to hours.
sensors at range of % LEL. The sensor has had high The response time is the important parameter with
sensitivity, “e.g.”the type NAP-21A at NEMOTO up to association the dynamic accuracy. The output signal of sensor
0,2mV/% vol of CO2. has other characteristic by change of gas concentration. Often
The main advantages of thermal conductivity sensors are: response time is defined as T63. The time signifies how long
• fitness to binary mixture time is necessary to rich of 63% of final value. In the praxis
• high sensitivity at gases with higher thermal there are used other parameters: T50 ( for 50% of final value)
conductivity (He, H2, Ne, CH4) and T95 (for 50% of final value). Learning and Comparison of
• quick response. modern gas sensors are very qualifiedly present in web-sides
The negativeness is: (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20).
• output signal is dependent on extern temperature
• without possibility to measure more component XIII. CONCLUSION
mixture of gases Presented text has given basic information in choice types
• without possibility to measure gases with small of sensors for measurement of concentration of gas, which are
thermal conductivity (“e.g.” CO, O2, N2, NH3). going to be subject of interest at applied research in to next
The fig.13 shows design of real thermal conductivity period at workplaces of faculty. It is going to have to perform
sensors and view on the MEMS sensor. analyses their possibilities and values of parameters to realize
requirements. Between critical points there are parameters of
range of measurement, direct and cross sensibilities of
measurement, accuracy and uncertainties in measurement,
characteristics, parasitic influences and further problems of
condition of output signal. The information of paper helps to
perfect decision to next work.

Fig.13 Design of sensors of measurement of gas mixture


according to thermal conductivity and picture of its MEMS REFERENCES
technology (NEMOTO). [1] HRUSKA F.-PLSEK S. Electrochemical sensors for gas mix analysis.
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17, 2012.
Now there are produced a lot of gas sensors with different

Issue 5, Volume 6, 2012 357


INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIRCUITS, SYSTEMS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING

[2] HRUŠKA,F. Senzory. Fyzikální principy,úpravy signálů, příklady


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[12] NENVITECH. Datasheet DS NET 4. 2011. In:
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[13] CITYTECH. Datasheet of 2FO. 2011. In:
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